Nashville was buzzing, and VRMA 2026 brought some of the industry's biggest conversations to the forefront!
From major OTA changes and AI developments to industry consolidation and predictions for 2027, this year's conference sparked some fascinating discussions about the future of vacation rentals.
And of course, Alex & Annie were right in the middle of it all.
In this special episode, we're taking you straight to the VRMA show floor for a mix of industry insight, candid conversations, and a little unexpected fun.
We caught up with some of our industry partners and put them on the spot with three burning questions: Where do hospitality professionals actually go on vacation? If their company were a band, who would they be? And the most entertaining question of all: "Rumor has it..."
We even kept an unofficial tally, and let's just say the beach won, Bali had a moment, and classic rock is apparently alive and well in vacation rentals.
Beyond the laughs and show-floor banter, we also sat down for separate conversations with Jeff Hurst of Furnished Finder, Ian Ackland of Booking.com, and Joel Schoen of Escapia, each bringing a unique perspective on the industry's evolving landscape. Their discussions explore Vrbo's fee changes, opportunities in midterm rentals, industry consolidation, AI, and the future of vacation rental technology and distribution.
From the latest industry developments to the unexpected moments that made Nashville memorable, this episode captures the energy, insights, and personalities of VRMA 2026.
Episode Chapters:
00:00 - Welcome to the show
03:40 - Three burning questions: industry rumors, rock bands, and dream vacations
18:57 - Jeff Hurst on Furnished Finder and the growth of midterm rentals
21:40 - Vrbo's fee changes and the evolving OTA landscape
23:45 - Will AI transform vacation rental distribution?
33:58 - Ian Ackland on Booking.com, trust, and industry partnerships
41:20 - What's next for vacation rental industry consolidation?
45:01 - Joel Schoen on Escapia's latest innovations
47:58 - AI, customer support, and the human side of vacation rental technology
Whether you joined us in Nashville or missed the conference this year, tune in for an inside look at the conversations, personalities, and ideas making waves across the vacation rental industry.
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#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #VRMA2026